Cloth Top Cleaning

My grandparents got a cloth top put on their new Lincoln during the summer, and it used to stand up, or bubble up, you could say. Now it does not. Is it because of all the dirt it traps, or just due to settling? Honestly, I never really noticed it, but my grandpaw said it did, so I trust him:) Anyway, what is a good way to clean those tops anyway? Thanks.

Originally posted by GTO2Z28
My grandparents got a cloth top put on their new Lincoln during the summer, and it used to stand up, or bubble up, you could say. Now it does not. Is it because of all the dirt it traps, or just due to settling? Honestly, I never really noticed it, but my grandpaw said it did, so I trust him:) Anyway, what is a good way to clean those tops anyway? Thanks.


I think you are trying to say that the cloth does not bead water like it used to do when new, the reason is that the cloth sealant applied to it at the factory the cloth was made in has worn away, you need to clean and re seal the material with products made for cloth.

You can use the same methods of cleaning this top as you would on a cloth made by www.haartz.com for late model F bodies.

Here is the cleaning procedure:

Although the fabric does not promote mildew growth by itself, mildew may develop on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed. This is especially true in warm, humid, dark environments. A program of keeping the fabric clean through regular washings, BEFORE it gets dirty, will enhance the life and beauty of the acrylic and make successive cleaning easier.
Most automatic car washes will not harm cloth top fabrics. Washes with water jets and hanging cloths provide a more gentle cleaning action. Those using heavy barrel brushes
could damage the top material. Haartz recommends hand washing.

The Haartz Corporation recommends using RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner and RAGGTOPP™ Protectant Hand washing in shade or partial shade, not direct sunlight, is best. DO NOT USE DETERGENT. Bird and tree droppings, as well as other loose particle soils, should be
removed immediately. Vacuum with a brush attachment and rinse thoroughly with water to remove loose particle soils. This will also prevent the soils from being redeposited during the cleaning process. Once the fabric has been rinsed thoroughly, spray
RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner evenly over the entire surface while still wet. Allow the cleaner to soak for 10 to 20 minutes and then scrub lightly with a soft nylon brush or terry cloth rag. Rinse thoroughly, preferably until no remaining soap foam is observed. Additional cleanings may be required. It is best to determine the need for additional cleanings after the fabric has dried completely. For more stubborn cases, mix a solution of no more than 1/2 cup (4oz.) bleach and 1/4 cup (2oz.) RAGGTOPP™ Cleaner per gallon of water, soak for approximately 20
minutes and scrub lightly as indicated above. (Excessive soaking with the bleach solution can deteriorate seam threads.) Rinse thoroughly to prevent streaking on painted and chrome surfaces. Several cleanings may be necessary. Once dry, cleaning must be followed by re-water repelling with RAGGTOPP™ Protectant. (This product does not contain CFC's and therefore, is not harmful to the environment.) Failure to apply will result in rapid resoiling of the unprotected fabric.

Thanks! I will pass on the information.

Raggtopp is awesome! My top still looked new to me but rain water didn't bead up anymore like it did when it was new. When I used the cleaner and sealant on it the other day it looked sooooo much better I couldn't believe it. I didn't even notice it looking any different before. But now it's like WOW! :eek: :D

Great stuff. $30

Where did you get the stuff at?

Originally posted by GTO2Z28
Where did you get the stuff at?


I stock Raggtopp. Not sold in any stores that I know of.

I found mine in a car wash. I contacted a local distributor and he told me where he had sold some to a car wash. NO I WASN'T getting my car run through the car wash. :)

You can find it pretty readily online.

Like here:
http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=classic-motoring&query=raggtopp&.autodone=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.properautocare.com%2Fns earch.html

or here:
http://www.autofanatics.com/raggtopp.html

Get a complete list of distributors here:
http://www.wolfsteins.com/raggtopp/DistributorFrameSet.asp

enjoy!

PS - It only took me 30 minutes to get this post right.

Another vote for the Raggtopp cleaner and protectant here! Stuff beads like crazy.

Thanks for taking time out to provide all the info 2002Z28SSConv!